Lodi looks to nip dog trespassing in the bud

Monday

Oct 7, 2013 at 12:01 AM

LODI - Richard Brown has been stocking the Vinewood Park dog area's pet waste bag dispenser for four years, something he said he does because it's the right thing to do and because it's not one of the top priorities for city officials.

Keith Reid

LODI - Richard Brown has been stocking the Vinewood Park dog area's pet waste bag dispenser for four years, something he said he does because it's the right thing to do and because it's not one of the top priorities for city officials.

Brown and a group of his friends meet almost daily there to talk about the day's news while their pooches exercise and socialize.

Vinewood is one of five parks in Lodi that allows dogs, such as Brown's chihuahua, Tiny. Brown said it's important for him and the other dog owners to help keep the park clean.

"It's my little bit to make the city better," Brown said.

City officials agree and have started to respond in recent weeks to a growing list of complaints about Lodi residents taking their dogs on walks where they are not allowed, droppings left on athletic fields and other concerns. In one case, a pit bull mauled a dachshund at Lodi Lake Park.

The Recreation Commission on Tuesday met, with a crowd of about 30 dog owners, to talk about the dog park issues and the upcoming expansion of the dog area at Beckman Park. Those who walk their dogs where they should not will be given warnings, and possibly citations, Parks Superintendent Steve Dutra said, adding that if community members are willing to get involved with the city's Adopt-a-Park program, that other improvements can be made as well.

"Lodi has 10 acres of park space dedicated to dogs," Dutra said, noting that two more acres are being added at Beckman, and that the city's total dog-friendly space is among the largest in the state.

Lodi Police Lt. Sierra Brucia also confirmed that the department is reviewing its dog-related ordinance. The ordinance may be changed, and it may not, Brucia said. It's simply under review. Lodi has a part-time police officer that patrols parks.

"People have been worried that we are going to take away services for dogs. I don't know how, I guess a rumor just spread," said Recreation Commissioner David Akin. "We are not taking away services, we are expanding them."

The main point, Dutra said, is that dogs are not allowed in 24 of Lodi's 29 parks. There are five major dog areas in Lodi:

The 24 parks that are not dog friendly have signs indicating them as such, Dutra said.

"We just want to get this in control before it gets out of control," said Recreation Commission Chairman Larry Long. "There's always a few that make it difficult for the many. So, we're just trying to get the information out there."

Dog park users such as Brown appear to be happy with the city's efforts to enhance the parks for their pups - for at least as long as the dogs are interested. Brown takes Tiny every day, but his 17-year-old Australian kelpie, Linda, takes a pass.

"I'd take her, but it was her decision that she doesn't want to go anymore," Brown said.